HOUSTON - The doctor treating former first lady Barbara Bush in Houston says she is recovering nicely from her open-heart surgery.

Dr. Gerald Lawrie, who replaced a hardened aortic valve during Bush's surgery this week, said the wife of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush is progressing in her recovery, ABC reported Thursday.

Lawrie praised the former first lady for how she approached the major surgery, only informing a limited number of people about her impending operation at Houston's Methodist Hospital.

"This was a very calm, pleasant atmosphere that she created actually, by not bringing in her whole family," Lawrie said of Bush, 83.

Meanwhile, the former president offered similar kudos to hospital staff for their efforts during his wife's operation and ongoing recovery, ABC said.

"I am very impressed with and grateful to the wonderful team of doctors and nurses at Methodist Hospital who have helped Barbara," former president Bush said. "We have every confidence she is in the best hands."